Department of Aliveness · Bureau no. 01
● Open · Ogden, Utah
● Open · Ogden, Utah
Est. 2024
The Play Cohort · Prospectus
The Play Cohort · Prospectus
For no
good reason.
For no
good reason.
For no
good reason.
An experience in mischief, curiosity, uselessness, and being alive.
An experience in mischief, curiosity, uselessness, and being alive.
An experience in mischief, curiosity, uselessness, and being alive.
When did everything start needing a reason? Spend ten weeks with eight to ten people trying things because they intrigue you, amuse you, or make you feel alive. Follow an impulse. Be a beginner. Enjoy something you’re spectacularly average at. You don’t have to earn your fun or turn it into anything afterward.
When did everything start needing a reason? Spend ten weeks with eight to ten people trying things because they intrigue you, amuse you, or make you feel alive. Follow an impulse. Be a beginner. Enjoy something you’re spectacularly average at. You don’t have to earn your fun or turn it into anything afterward.
When did everything start needing a reason? Spend ten weeks with eight to ten people trying things because they intrigue you, amuse you, or make you feel alive. Follow an impulse. Be a beginner. Enjoy something you’re spectacularly average at. You don’t have to earn your fun or turn it into anything afterward.
Length
Ten weeks
Group size
8–10 people
Live sessions
One a week, 90 minutes, on video
Between sessions
A private community, plus things to try in your everyday life
Join the waitlist →
The particulars
Length
Ten weeks
Group size
8–10 people
Live sessions
One a week, 90 minutes, on video
Between sessions
A private community, plus things to try in your everyday life
Investment
$700
Begins
Dates to be announced
Recognition
Recognition
01
01
01
01
When did everything start needing a reason?
When did everything start needing a reason?
When did everything start needing a reason?
A reason to take the afternoon off. A reason to make something badly. A reason to wear the ridiculous thing. A reason to wander somewhere you weren’t going. A reason to spend three hours becoming inexplicably interested in mushrooms or fountains or terrible roadside attractions.
A reason to take the afternoon off. A reason to make something badly. A reason to wear the ridiculous thing. A reason to wander somewhere you weren’t going. A reason to spend three hours becoming inexplicably interested in mushrooms or fountains or terrible roadside attractions.
A reason to take the afternoon off. A reason to make something badly. A reason to wear the ridiculous thing. A reason to wander somewhere you weren’t going. A reason to spend three hours becoming inexplicably interested in mushrooms or fountains or terrible roadside attractions.
At some point, adulthood becomes remarkably efficient. We get very good at knowing what things are for. Exercise is for our health. Reading is for learning. Dinner is for networking. Hobbies become side hustles. Rest becomes recovery so we can work again. Even pleasure starts acquiring performance indicators.
At some point, adulthood becomes remarkably efficient. We get very good at knowing what things are for. Exercise is for our health. Reading is for learning. Dinner is for networking. Hobbies become side hustles. Rest becomes recovery so we can work again. Even pleasure starts acquiring performance indicators.
At some point, adulthood becomes remarkably efficient. We get very good at knowing what things are for. Exercise is for our health. Reading is for learning. Dinner is for networking. Hobbies become side hustles. Rest becomes recovery so we can work again. Even pleasure starts acquiring performance indicators.
An enormous category of human experience quietly disappears: things we do for no good reason at all.
An enormous category of human experience quietly disappears: things we do for no good reason at all.
An enormous category of human experience quietly disappears: things we do for no good reason at all.
These ten weeks are for doing them. In excellent, equally unproductive company.
These ten weeks are for doing them. In excellent, equally unproductive company.
The premise
The premise
02
02
02
02
Play owes nobody a business case.
Play owes nobody a business case.
Play owes nobody a business case.
You can take your life seriously and still wear the ridiculous thing. You can be grieving, responsible for other people, or in the middle of something difficult and still want an afternoon of nonsense. You don’t have to finish dealing with everything before this part of you gets a turn.
You can take your life seriously and still wear the ridiculous thing. You can be grieving, responsible for other people, or in the middle of something difficult and still want an afternoon of nonsense. You don’t have to finish dealing with everything before this part of you gets a turn.
You can take your life seriously and still wear the ridiculous thing. You can be grieving, responsible for other people, or in the middle of something difficult and still want an afternoon of nonsense. You don’t have to finish dealing with everything before this part of you gets a turn.
Play does not need to make you healthier, or more creative at work, or a more resilient leader. Perhaps it does some of those things. Fine. That is not why we are here.
Play does not need to make you healthier, or more creative at work, or a more resilient leader. Perhaps it does some of those things. Fine. That is not why we are here.
Play does not need to make you healthier, or more creative at work, or a more resilient leader. Perhaps it does some of those things. Fine. That is not why we are here.
What would you try if you didn’t have to be good at it? What would you do again just because you loved it? We spend ten weeks finding out together: making things, following unlikely interests, and seeing what happens when someone says, “What if we…?” Your competence can have the evening off.
What would you try if you didn’t have to be good at it? What would you do again just because you loved it? We spend ten weeks finding out together: making things, following unlikely interests, and seeing what happens when someone says, “What if we…?” Your competence can have the evening off.
What would you try if you didn’t have to be good at it? What would you do again just because you loved it? We spend ten weeks finding out together: making things, following unlikely interests, and seeing what happens when someone says, “What if we…?” Your competence can have the evening off.
Why a cohort
Why a cohort
03
03
03
03
Someone else has an idea. Now we’re in trouble.
Someone else has an idea. Now we’re in trouble.
Someone else has an idea. Now we’re in trouble.
Watch what happens when someone says: let’s play. There is often a tiny moment before the answer. A hesitation. A calculation. A flinch. Will I look stupid? Am I doing this right? What are the rules? Who is watching? Shouldn’t I be doing something more useful?
Watch what happens when someone says: let’s play. There is often a tiny moment before the answer. A hesitation. A calculation. A flinch. Will I look stupid? Am I doing this right? What are the rules? Who is watching? Shouldn’t I be doing something more useful?
Watch what happens when someone says: let’s play. There is often a tiny moment before the answer. A hesitation. A calculation. A flinch. Will I look stupid? Am I doing this right? What are the rules? Who is watching? Shouldn’t I be doing something more useful?
Then someone tries something. Someone else adds to it. You find yourself doing something you would never have thought to do alone, and enjoying it before you’ve decided whether you’re any good. Other people bring interests, impulses, and possibilities you couldn’t have planned for. So do you.
Then someone tries something. Someone else adds to it. You find yourself doing something you would never have thought to do alone, and enjoying it before you’ve decided whether you’re any good. Other people bring interests, impulses, and possibilities you couldn’t have planned for. So do you.
Then someone tries something. Someone else adds to it. You find yourself doing something you would never have thought to do alone, and enjoying it before you’ve decided whether you’re any good. Other people bring interests, impulses, and possibilities you couldn’t have planned for. So do you.
You don’t have to be the fun one. You get to have fun.
You don’t have to be the fun one. You get to have fun.
You don’t have to be the fun one. You get to have fun.
Ten weeks gives us time for shared jokes, unlikely discoveries, and people we look forward to playing with again.
Ten weeks gives us time for shared jokes, unlikely discoveries, and people we look forward to playing with again.
The ten weeks
The ten weeks
04
04
04
04
Where the ten weeks go.
Where the ten weeks go.
Where the ten weeks go.
Weeks 1–2
Weeks 1–2
No competence required
No competence required
No competence required
We start with low stakes: making, inventing, and trying things without needing an impressive result. You can be new at something in front of other people. So can everyone else. We see what we enjoy before deciding what we’re good at.
We start with low stakes: making, inventing, and trying things without needing an impressive result. You can be new at something in front of other people. So can everyone else. We see what we enjoy before deciding what we’re good at.
Weeks 3–5
Weeks 3–5
The flinch, up close
The flinch, up close
The flinch, up close
That moment when an idea interests you and you immediately talk yourself out of it. We notice the excuses, question what we’ve declared childish, and try some of the things we nearly dismissed. You can feel self-conscious and still have a very good time.
That moment when an idea interests you and you immediately talk yourself out of it. We notice the excuses, question what we’ve declared childish, and try some of the things we nearly dismissed. You can feel self-conscious and still have a very good time.
Weeks 6–8
Weeks 6–8
Following it further
Following it further
Following it further
Wandering, tiny adventures, invented rituals, becoming unnecessarily interested in something. We take play into the week, bring back our discoveries, and borrow ideas from one another. Curiosity gets a larger vote.
Wandering, tiny adventures, invented rituals, becoming unnecessarily interested in something. We take play into the week, bring back our discoveries, and borrow ideas from one another. Curiosity gets a larger vote.
Weeks 9–10
Weeks 9–10
Keeping it
Keeping it
Keeping it
What do you want to do again? Who do you want to invite? We find ways to keep play in an ordinary week without turning it into another thing to be disciplined about. Not every impulse needs to submit a proposal before receiving funding.
What do you want to do again? Who do you want to invite? We find ways to keep play in an ordinary week without turning it into another thing to be disciplined about. Not every impulse needs to submit a proposal before receiving funding.
Some of it will be stupid. This is intentional.
Some of it will be stupid. This is intentional.
The mechanics
The mechanics
05
05
05
05
How the cohort works.
How the cohort works.
How the cohort works.
Eight to ten people
Eight to ten people
The same people for all ten weeks. Small enough to get comfortable, try something unfamiliar, and be a little ridiculous if the occasion calls for it.
The same people for all ten weeks. Small enough to get comfortable, try something unfamiliar, and be a little ridiculous if the occasion calls for it.
The same people for all ten weeks. Small enough to get comfortable, try something unfamiliar, and be a little ridiculous if the occasion calls for it.
One live session a week
One live session a week
Ninety minutes, on video, same time each week. Time to experiment, make things, and follow what catches our interest.
Ninety minutes, on video, same time each week. Time to experiment, make things, and follow what catches our interest.
Ninety minutes, on video, same time each week. Time to experiment, make things, and follow what catches our interest.
Department assignments
Department assignments
Invitations to try something in your everyday life because it interests you, delights you, or makes you lose track of time. No useful outcome required.
Invitations to try something in your everyday life because it interests you, delights you, or makes you lose track of time. No useful outcome required.
Invitations to try something in your everyday life because it interests you, delights you, or makes you lose track of time. No useful outcome required.
A community between sessions
A community between sessions
A private space for all ten weeks. Share a discovery, show us what you made, or find someone who’s just as interested as you are.
A private space for all ten weeks. Share a discovery, show us what you made, or find someone who’s just as interested as you are.
A private space for all ten weeks. Share a discovery, show us what you made, or find someone who’s just as interested as you are.
Cameras on
Cameras on
We meet with cameras on so we can see and respond to one another. You don’t have to be entertaining to take part.
We meet with cameras on so we can see and respond to one another. You don’t have to be entertaining to take part.
We meet with cameras on so we can see and respond to one another. You don’t have to be entertaining to take part.
More ways to feel alive
More ways to feel alive
Revisit something you loved. Follow an unexpected fascination. Try the thing you keep wondering about. See what you want to do again.
Revisit something you loved. Follow an unexpected fascination. Try the thing you keep wondering about. See what you want to do again.
Revisit something you loved. Follow an unexpected fascination. Try the thing you keep wondering about. See what you want to do again.
Between sessions
Between sessions
06
06
06
06
The rest of your week gets to be more interesting, too.
The rest of your week gets to be more interesting, too.
The rest of your week gets to be more interesting, too.
An errand becomes a detour worth taking. You pick up something you used to love making. An interest gets an hour of your attention before you ask whether you have any talent for it. The assignments give you somewhere to start. What catches your interest can take you somewhere else entirely.
An errand becomes a detour worth taking. You pick up something you used to love making. An interest gets an hour of your attention before you ask whether you have any talent for it. The assignments give you somewhere to start. What catches your interest can take you somewhere else entirely.
An errand becomes a detour worth taking. You pick up something you used to love making. An interest gets an hour of your attention before you ask whether you have any talent for it. The assignments give you somewhere to start. What catches your interest can take you somewhere else entirely.
You may find yourself explaining to another adult that you have been given Department business and, unfortunately, it involves bubbles. These things happen.
You may find yourself explaining to another adult that you have been given Department business and, unfortunately, it involves bubbles. These things happen.
You may find yourself explaining to another adult that you have been given Department business and, unfortunately, it involves bubbles. These things happen.
Small assignments. No extra credit for making them difficult.
Small assignments. No extra credit for making them difficult.
Boundaries
Boundaries
07
07
07
07
Your enjoyment is not another assignment to get right.
Your enjoyment is not another assignment to get right.
Your enjoyment is not another assignment to get right.
You don’t need to become a different kind of person to enjoy this. Your play might be quiet, absorbing, adventurous, social, or something you haven’t discovered yet. We make room to find out, without asking you to perform enthusiasm or turn what you enjoy into a self-improvement plan.
You don’t need to become a different kind of person to enjoy this. Your play might be quiet, absorbing, adventurous, social, or something you haven’t discovered yet. We make room to find out, without asking you to perform enthusiasm or turn what you enjoy into a self-improvement plan.
You don’t need to become a different kind of person to enjoy this. Your play might be quiet, absorbing, adventurous, social, or something you haven’t discovered yet. We make room to find out, without asking you to perform enthusiasm or turn what you enjoy into a self-improvement plan.
It is
Ten weeks of trying things and discovering what you enjoy
Ten weeks of trying things and discovering what you enjoy
Ten weeks of trying things and discovering what you enjoy
Small assignments to bring play into your everyday life
Small assignments to bring play into your everyday life
Small assignments to bring play into your everyday life
A small group where you can get comfortable trying something unfamiliar
A small group where you can get comfortable trying something unfamiliar
A small group where you can get comfortable trying something unfamiliar
Enjoyment that doesn’t have to justify itself
Enjoyment that doesn’t have to justify itself
Enjoyment that doesn’t have to justify itself
It is not
Therapy, treatment, or any clinical service
Therapy, treatment, or any clinical service
Therapy, treatment, or any clinical service
Inner-child work
Inner-child work
Inner-child work
A creativity course for your job
A creativity course for your job
A creativity course for your job
Play with performance indicators attached
Play with performance indicators attached
Play with performance indicators attached
Fit
Fit
08
08
08
08
You might recognize yourself here.
You might recognize yourself here.
You might recognize yourself here.
You’re very good at being responsible. You’d like that to stop being the whole afternoon.
You’re very good at being responsible. You’d like that to stop being the whole afternoon.
You’re very good at being responsible. You’d like that to stop being the whole afternoon.
There are things you’d like to try, if being good at them weren’t the price of admission.
There are things you’d like to try, if being good at them weren’t the price of admission.
There are things you’d like to try, if being good at them weren’t the price of admission.
You already know some of what makes you feel alive. You want more of it, and people to share it with.
You already know some of what makes you feel alive. You want more of it, and people to share it with.
You already know some of what makes you feel alive. You want more of it, and people to share it with.
You’re willing to give an unfamiliar idea a try, even before you know what it’s good for.
You’re willing to give an unfamiliar idea a try, even before you know what it’s good for.
You’re willing to give an unfamiliar idea a try, even before you know what it’s good for.
The room
The room
09
09
09
09
There’s more to you than what you’re good at.
There’s more to you than what you’re good at.
There’s more to you than what you’re good at.
You might be the capable one elsewhere. Here, you can ask how something works, offer an unfinished idea, or get absorbed in something you have no aptitude for whatsoever. Other people get to meet your curiosity, your taste, your unexpected enthusiasms. You get to discover theirs. There’s a particular pleasure in being liked for how much you enjoy something.
You might be the capable one elsewhere. Here, you can ask how something works, offer an unfinished idea, or get absorbed in something you have no aptitude for whatsoever. Other people get to meet your curiosity, your taste, your unexpected enthusiasms. You get to discover theirs. There’s a particular pleasure in being liked for how much you enjoy something.
You might be the capable one elsewhere. Here, you can ask how something works, offer an unfinished idea, or get absorbed in something you have no aptitude for whatsoever. Other people get to meet your curiosity, your taste, your unexpected enthusiasms. You get to discover theirs. There’s a particular pleasure in being liked for how much you enjoy something.
Who are you when there is nothing to win?
Who are you when there is nothing to win?
Who are you when there is nothing to win?
Let’s give that person some company.
Let’s give that person some company.
My role
My role
10
10
10
10
I bring a structure. You bring your curiosity. We see what happens.
I bring a structure. You bring your curiosity. We see what happens.
I bring a structure. You bring your curiosity. We see what happens.
I’m a political psychologist, researcher, and kundalini yoga therapist. I pay attention to what makes people come alive and what happens when we give it room. Here, I offer experiments and help you notice what draws you in, where you hold yourself back, and what you want to follow further.
I’m a political psychologist, researcher, and kundalini yoga therapist. I pay attention to what makes people come alive and what happens when we give it room. Here, I offer experiments and help you notice what draws you in, where you hold yourself back, and what you want to follow further.
I’m a political psychologist, researcher, and kundalini yoga therapist. I pay attention to what makes people come alive and what happens when we give it room. Here, I offer experiments and help you notice what draws you in, where you hold yourself back, and what you want to follow further.
I know my own overevolved sense of responsibility can take over the whole day. I also know what happens when something catches my heart and mind enough that I forget to be in charge of everything. That’s part of what brings me here: discovering what becomes possible when we have some freedom from the roles we’re so practiced at filling.
I know my own overevolved sense of responsibility can take over the whole day. I also know what happens when something catches my heart and mind enough that I forget to be in charge of everything. That’s part of what brings me here: discovering what becomes possible when we have some freedom from the roles we’re so practiced at filling.
I know my own overevolved sense of responsibility can take over the whole day. I also know what happens when something catches my heart and mind enough that I forget to be in charge of everything. That’s part of what brings me here: discovering what becomes possible when we have some freedom from the roles we’re so practiced at filling.
I bring ideas, guide the experience, and make room for what we discover together. You might surprise yourself, question an old rule, or find yourself absorbed in something you would usually pass by. We give those moments somewhere to go in your life.
I bring ideas, guide the experience, and make room for what we discover together. You might surprise yourself, question an old rule, or find yourself absorbed in something you would usually pass by. We give those moments somewhere to go in your life.
I bring ideas, guide the experience, and make room for what we discover together. You might surprise yourself, question an old rule, or find yourself absorbed in something you would usually pass by. We give those moments somewhere to go in your life.
The investment
The investment
11
11
11
11
$700 for the ten weeks.
$700 for the ten weeks.
$700 for the ten weeks.
Ten live sessions with the same small group, Department assignments to try in your everyday life, and a private community between sessions. Time to follow your curiosity, discover more of what makes you feel alive, and find people who’ll try things with you. You don’t have to turn any of it into an achievement.
Ten live sessions with the same small group, Department assignments to try in your everyday life, and a private community between sessions. Time to follow your curiosity, discover more of what makes you feel alive, and find people who’ll try things with you. You don’t have to turn any of it into an achievement.
Ten live sessions with the same small group, Department assignments to try in your everyday life, and a private community between sessions. Time to follow your curiosity, discover more of what makes you feel alive, and find people who’ll try things with you. You don’t have to turn any of it into an achievement.
Pay in full or in two payments, with no added fee. Choose what works for you when you join.
Pay in full or in two payments, with no added fee. Choose what works for you when you join.
Pay in full or in two payments, with no added fee. Choose what works for you when you join.
Questions
Questions
12
12
12
12
The things people actually ask.
The things people actually ask.
The things people actually ask.
No. You don’t need artistic skills or a supply of original ideas. I’ll bring starting points. You bring a willingness to try something and see what interests you.
The Play Cohort
Length
Ten weeks
Group size
8–10 people
Live sessions
One a week, 90 minutes, on video
Between sessions
A private community, plus things to try in your everyday life
Investment
$700
Begins
Dates to be announced
Join the waitlist →
Your curiosity is reason enough.
Your curiosity is reason enough.
Your curiosity is reason enough.
Spend ten weeks following what interests you, trying things you usually talk yourself out of, and discovering what makes you feel alive in company. You can be responsible for plenty and still do something for no good reason.
Spend ten weeks following what interests you, trying things you usually talk yourself out of, and discovering what makes you feel alive in company. You can be responsible for plenty and still do something for no good reason.
Spend ten weeks following what interests you, trying things you usually talk yourself out of, and discovering what makes you feel alive in company. You can be responsible for plenty and still do something for no good reason.
Join the waitlist →
Add your name and tell me what brings you here. You’ll hear first when dates are announced, with the details you need to decide whether to join.
Add your name and tell me what brings you here. You’ll hear first when dates are announced, with the details you need to decide whether to join.